DAY 1

Welcome & Orientation

The program starts with an evening orientation. Participants will get to know one another and be introduced to the program. Throughout the evening, the itinerary and seminar key concepts will be discussed, as well as what to expect to pack for the field each day.

DAY 2

Observing Yellowstone’s Wildlife, Keeping a Nature Journal, and Learning to Teach Others

• Early morning to early afternoon wildlife watching.
• Meet up in the field with a biological science technician from the Yellowstone Wolf, Cougar, and Elk Project to discuss current wildlife research.
• Afternoon will cover nature journaling.
• After a dinner break, there will be an evening presentation on environmental interpretation practices.

DAY 3

Yellowstone’s Building Blocks: Exploring the geology that shapes it all

• All day field trip focusing on geology and the connection to cultural history.

DAY 4

Yellowstone’s Birds and Botany

• Morning will be spent learning about and looking for birds.
• Afternoon will be spent learning about plant taxonomy and Yellowstone wildflowers.

DAY 5

Tracking: Reading the stories on the land

• Morning to late afternoon will be spent in the classroom with a tracking expert.
• Afternoon will be spent practicing tracking in the field.

DAY 6

Putting It All Together

• Participants will submit nature journal submissions.
• After a morning discussion on ecology and putting it all together, students will give their presentations to the class.
• After presentations, certifications will be given out during a closing award ceremony.

Dates & Times: The program begins at 7:00 PM on Thursday, July 17, 2025, and goes through 5:00 PM on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.

Meals: This course is not catered. Participants will need to bring their own food; lunch should be able to travel in the field.

ACTIVITY LEVEL 2

• Be prepared to hike up to 3 miles per day, comfortably, with elevation gains up to 600 feet. Some off-trail hiking possible.
• For more information about our activity levels, please visit our Activity Level webpage here.
• Most activities will take place at elevations between 7,200 to 8,000 feet. Participants residing at lower elevations may want to arrive a day early to adjust to the altitude.
• To learn more about how specific medical conditions can be affected by Yellowstone’s environment and our activities, please visit our site page on health information.
• All field activities will be conducted as a group. If members of the group cannot participate in the day’s activities, they need to let the educator know in advance.
• To participate in this program, each participant must fill out and sign a health questionnaire and assumption of risk waiver. These forms must be completed and returned at least 30 days prior to the program start date.

EQUIPMENT SPECIFIC TO THIS COURSE:

Suggested Packing List located in General Information document under the ‘Whom to Contact’ tab.

• Writing utensils and notebook

RECOMMENDED READINGS

• Bumann, G., & Young, J. (2024). Eavesdropping on Animals: What We Can Learn from Wildlife Conversations. Greystone Books.
  Fritz, W. J., & Thomas, R. C. (2011). Roadside Geology of Yellowstone Country. Mountain Press Pub. Co.
• Halfpenny, J. C. (1986). A Field Guide to Mammal Tracking in North America. Johnson Books.
  Kimmerer, R. W. (2013). Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants. Milkweed Editions.
• Laws, J. M. (2018). The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling John Muir Laws. Heyday.
• Smith, D. W., Duffy, K., Walker, L. E., & Landis, B. (2023). Yellowstone’s Birds: Diversity and abundance in the world’s first National Park. Princeton University Press.
• Tilt, W. (2015). Flora of the Yellowstone: A Guide to the Wildflowers, Shrubs & Trees, Ferns, and Grass-like Plants of the Greater Yellowstone Region of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Published by Gallatin Valley Land Trust.
• Young, J., & Gardoqui, D. (2013). What the Robin Knows: How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World. Mariner Books : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Whom to Contact: For any questions, concerns, or additional information please contact the following:

Program itinerary, health forms, payment, and general program questions please contact Yellowstone Forever at [email protected] or 406-848-2400 extension 3

Road updates, park conditions, and general park information please contact Yellowstone National Park Service at https://www.nps.gov/yell/contacts.htm

If running late for a program, please contact 406-641-2185.

General Information: For general information about the facilities, preparation for classes, what to expect, cancellation policies, and more, please see the Gardiner-Based Field Seminars – General Information document.

Cancellation Policy: Review our Cancellation & Refund Policies here.